These 1st time voters are aiming for change on P.E.I.
‘Here you feel like you’re making an actual change’
Amy MacNeill and Janet Bernabe both earned the right to vote in 2020 — MacNeill because she turned 18 and Bernabe because she became a Canadian citizen after moving here 10 years ago.
Both voted in the 2021 federal election, but say they feel a closer connection to this provincial vote.
"I know that I am voting for … one who sees and experiences and understands the condition we are at, the problems we are facing," said Barnabe.
MacNeill said she feels like her vote matters more in a provincial election.
"When you're voting towards the federal election you don't have a lot of weight, considering P.E.I. only has four seats in the House of Commons," she said.
"Here you feel like you're making an actual change."
Frustrations with health care
High on the agenda for both, as with many Islanders this election, is health care.
Both are concerned about a shortage of working health professionals on the Island, particularly when there are health professionals in the province who can't work because their credentials aren't recognized in Canada.
"I work with one who's a heart surgeon, and he can't [practice]," said MacNeill.
"That's very frustrating as we need those people very badly."
Barnabe was a dentist in the Philippines. She can't work as a dentist here, but has found a job in a dental office.
But she knows there are other Filipino health professionals on the Island who are working outside of the health system.
'The price of housing is absolutely insane'
Barnabe is a member of the Filipino Community Board of Prince Edward Island, so she has a close connection to the concerns of the community.
"One of the issues that we always encounter for international students or people moving here is the issue of housing. [Homes] are hard to find and it's very expensive," she said.
It's a major issue for MacNeill as well as she looks ahead to her future on P.E.I.
"My family's all from here, and I want to be able to start a family, buy a house, have health care for the kids I may have in the future," said MacNeill.
"Things need to change, like more family doctors, lower ER times, the price of housing is absolutely insane. We need to change that."
Islanders head to the polls on April 3.
With files from Island Morning
Need I say I found this interesting news not long after I emailed all 4 MPs after studying the ruckus in the Montague?
Federal government eases some restrictions on non-Canadians purchasing property
Changes intended to boost housing supply, minister says
Richard Raycraft · CBC News · Posted: Mar 28, 2023 1:32 PM ADT
I have lived in the USA/Europe & Asia and PEI is the safest place I have ever lived, with some of the nicest people on the planet. You will always have jerks in the world and they will stand out more in a small place but to imply some people 'fear for their lives' and do not feel safe here is downright comical.
I hope they will take the time to research the platforms of each party and the track record of each.
Then understand immigration is controlled by the Federal government and the lack of health care professionals and skilled workers could have been better planned. Simple ratio of one MD for every 2000 added to the population.
Canada must do far better to ensure there are homes, schools, health care, land to grow our own food to ensure there is a quality of life for all.
As a Canadian MD who had to continue my specialist education and training in the UK, Canada failed to plan with the Canadian Colleges of Medicine in all 13 jurisdictions to effectively plan for the replacement of MD's retiring, and understanding it takes 8-10 years to educate an MD we are now in the state of too little too late.
Add a lack of Federal health funding when Canada's fiscal health was excellent and the present deal which appreciated is less than hoped for.
I wrote my exams to be able to practice in the country of my birth. The public must have confidence in the quality of its health care professionals. I work with a huge multi-cultural medical and nursing team from over 100 different countries we all are holders of the same designations enabling us to work in our professions and are proud of this achievement.
Pei health regulators in all of the health professions, has worked with the PC government on work force requirements, and streamlining a licence to practice. The MD license to practice in all Atlantic regions will be welcomed. As will the 16 new medical homes with hiring 100 health professionals to staff them.
Islanders who have left to obtain their residence education and training will also join these multi-team practices. PEI educated Masters prepared Nurse Practitioners, BScN's, and LPNs.
Facts vs unfounded doom and gloom.
Voting age should be 16.
You may not be correct, but I have serious doubt the other parties would have done better given the system itself.
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